Stakeholders of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Akwa Ibom State have debunked defection of their members to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, describing the claim as a charade to mislead the public.
At the event held at the Ibom Hall Grounds, Uyo on Monday, PDP claimed to have received more than 20,000 APC members into the party.
Addressing newsmen in Eket, the APC members comprising former chapter chairmen, former chapter secretaries, other former state and chapter officers, former aspirants and ward executive officers, refuted the defection claim.
Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders from the 31 local government Aaeas of the state, Engr. Uduakobong Akpoho, former Senatorial aspirant in Ikot Ekpene senatorial district, described the claim as ‘fraudulent,’ insisting that they remain committed members of the APC.
“We convened this press briefing to refute claims of the charade carried out at Ibom Hall by the PDP claiming that our members have joined them. We are foundation members of the APC. Our party is intact.
“None of the people they listed defected. None of the people you’ve seen here today defected. I want the world to know that the purported defection is a figment of their imagination. What you saw today on television was advanced political fraud, it is a scam,” he noted.
Akpoho reiterated the stakeholders’ support for all candidates of the APC in the general election and warned the PDP against deceiving the general public.
Also speaking, Idara Udoh, APC Youth Leader, Eket senatorial district, said the crowd at Ibom Hall was hired by the PDP, and challenged the party to present evidence to counter his allegation.
Former chapter chairmen including Elder Mfon Atting (Oron), Mr. Solomon Udoudo (Ikot Abasi), and Mr. Israel Sunday Asuquo (Etim Ekpo), frowned at the PDP for listing theory names as defectors, stating that they may seek redress in court.
Former chapter chairmen and secretaries who distanced themselves from the purported defection include: Nse Uwa Ekpenyong (Obot Akara), Israel Asuquo (Etim Ekpo), Mfon Atting (Oron), Monday Jackson (Essien Udim), Solomon Udoudo (Ikot Ekpene), Prince Ntese Ikara (Urueoffong Oruko), Inemesit Eshiet (Ika), Usen Effiong Ukpe (Oruk Anam, former secretary), and Emem Ufot (Ikot Abasi).
Others are: Ezekiel Akpanam (Ibeno), Ekebo Thomas (Onna), Pastor Nathaniel Esentia (Esit Eket), Evang. Mercy Atting (Mbo), Sunday Jacob (Nsit Ibom), Michael Okon (Okobo), Idongesit Okon Akpan (Ikot Ekpene), Etim Edet Raymond (Udung Uko), and Pastor Cliff Asuquo (Eket).
